University of Florida band director attacked after Gators victory over Miami Hurricanes

The University of Florida defeated Miami 24-20 Saturday, with UF band director Jay Watkins injured after the game by an unidentified person. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

The University of Florida’s band director was attacked following Saturday night’s football victory over the University of Miami, put in a choke hold and thrown to the ground as the band exited the stadium, police said.

Police don’t know who did it, but individuals at the scene said a Hurricanes fan attacked band director Jay Watkins from behind, according to the Orlando Police Department report released Monday.

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The Gators had won the game 24-20 and its band was in formation, marching out of the stadium to its awaiting buses, with police saying “the crowd was already unruly and the band was now adding to the delays.” That’s when Watkins tried to stop a female Miami fan from cutting through the band’s formation.

“Dr. Watkins described the incident as an unknown female attempted to push her way through the marching band from the back of the column, battering several of the band members as she went. None of the band members complained of injuries,” said the report by Sgt. Peter Cadiz.

“When Dr. Watkins attempted to stop the female, he was grabbed around the neck from behind and thrown to the ground, striking the back of his head on the pavement. He was unable to give a description of either individual," Cadiz reported.

Watkins received a minor laceration to his head and was treated by paramedics at the scene, police said. No stitches were needed and he rode back on a bus with the band.

The game was played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

The Miami fan trying to cut through the line wasn’t unusual, said UF spokesman Steven Orlando.

“When they go to out-of-town games, people do try to go through the line,” he said. “They were just trying to cut through. He’s trying to keep the continuity of the line, so he can keep track of his students.”

The incident started getting attention on social media Sunday, with Florida State University’s band director saying Watkins was trying to prevent Miami fans from forcing their way into the band section “with the intention of hurting the Gator Band kids.”

UF officials confirm UF Band Director Jay Watkins was knocked to the ground by a Miami Hurricane fan following the #UFvsMIA game last night. Watkins suffered a bump to his head and arm but is expected to be okay!

“Students in band uniforms are an easy and all-too-common target for disgruntled fans — especially these idiots who attend Miami games,” FSU band director Patrick Dunnigan posted on Facebook. "I know from personal experience just how dangerous a visiting stadium can be especially any game with Miami.”

“Jay tells me he is very sore today and has a nasty bump on his head, but THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED,” Dunnigan wrote.

Watkins told police he was not interested in filing any charges, but did want to report the incident. Police and university officials say no one else was injured. A female student had a bloody nose, but it was unrelated to the incident, police said.

As for the who-done-it, police said they don’t even have a description for the attacker. And in a spirit of collegiality, UF isn’t ready to blame it on a Miami fan.